Michael van Gerwen is the only Dutchman to participate in the Premier League of Darts this year. The PDC will stop inviting challengers after two years and hopes that the tournament can start around Easter, as was announced on Sunday after the World Cup final between Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson (7-3).
In addition to Van Gerwen, defending champions Glen Durrant, Price, Anderson, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall, Dimitri Van den Bergh and José de Sousa make their appearance in the Premier League. After The Masters at the end of January, the PDC will give the name of the tenth and last participant.
Van den Bergh, who has already played as a challenger, and De Sousa make their debut as regular players in the Premier League. The Belgian and the Portuguese won a major in the past year with the World Matchplay and the Grand Slam of Darts respectively.
The PDC introduced the challenger concept two years ago because Anderson dropped out at the last minute due to an injury. Every round a local player, such as Jeffrey de Zwaan in Rotterdam, was given the opportunity. That was a success in the first year, but lost a bit of its shine last year.
Glen Durrant poses with the Premier League of Darts trophy.
Glen Durrant poses with the Premier League of Darts trophy. Photo: ANP
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PDC hopes to start Premier League around Easter
It is still unclear when the Premier League will start. The opening round is usually in February, but that is not feasible due to the corona situation in Great Britain. The PDC hopes that the start of the event, which normally lasts 16 weeks, will be open to the public and aims to start around Easter.
Van Gerwen is the most successful Dutchman in the history of the Premier League, which has existed since 2005. De Brabander, who was eliminated at the World Cup in the quarter-finals and lost his number one position in the world ranking to Price after seven years, won the Premier League five times in eight participations (2013 and 2016 to 2019).
Phil Taylor is the record holder with six titles (2004 to 2008, 2010 and 2012), but can therefore be equaled again this year by Van Gerwen. Other winners of the Premier League are Anderson (2011 and 2015), Raymond van Barneveld (2014), James Wade (2009) and Durrant.
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